Here are some readers' favorite grandparenting tips. Keep checking back, we'll be posting tips as we receive them. Send us your favorite tip at St.Anthony@franciscanmedia.org.

I suggest that grandparents do their best to offer to regularly baby-sit their grandchildren so that their children can get out for a date! So many families I know have grandparents living close by, but put the brakes on when it comes to this simple but meaningful act of charity and love.

It's a win-win situation, too, because the grandparents become closer to their grandchildren, get time to spend alone with them, and the children get used to spending time with someone other than their parents (especially if they're really young). The parents also get precious time alone to re-energize their marriage, which is critical to keeping their family balanced emotionally and spiritually. Thanks! By the way, I'm a mother of three, and both sets of grandparents live on the West Coast!

Lisa Meany

Baltimore, Maryland

All our grandchildren were born abroad. Each year when they visited we took many pictures, even of mundane things. Then after they left we pasted the photos in a large album. Beside each picture (about three on a page) we wrote a little story. For example: "Here is Grandpa's green truck. Do you remember going in this truck to see the ducks down at the pond?" After the album was finished we read the story onto a tape. The grandchild then sas with the book and listened to the tape that told him/her when to turn a page. I am told they loved their yearly books.

As they grow, this double duty words/tape help them with reading skills. The oldest of five graduated from college this year and he says he will always remember and treasure his books. The second one just started college. No more books, but CARE boxes will be in the mail. For the three still overseas, because they are growing up, there will be modified albums to suit their age.

Josephine Davidson

West Coast

1. E-mail your granchildren things such as poetry, very short stories, news and words of encouragement and love.

2. Display their art on your refrigerator.

3. When they come to visit, cook their favorite foods.

4. Give hugs and appreciation.

5. Ask their guardian angels to watch over them every day.

Grandma Rose (Rosemary Loeb)

Since my grandchildren recently lost their wonderful grandmother (Nana) and they are all quite young (11 and younger) I have encouraged them to do two things:

1) After saying Grace before meals, add "And God bless Nana!" This is a constant reminder to these little ones that Nana was and is a source of great love for them.

2) I have encouraged them to draw pictures of things they liked to do with Nana and so "mail" them to her in heaven. They send their little notes by putting them in envelopes addressed to "Nana" in "Heaven" and placing them in the collection basket at Sunday Mass. Obviously they don't do this every week, but do every now and then. I believe this gives the children a good, healthy and holy impression of death and heaven—not something for them to fear.

Ron Reading

Try to see things through a child's eyes. This will allow you to become more compassionate, understanding and loving. I find myself able to compromise much more easily.

We must make the very best of every minute of our days that the Lord gives us. We want our children, grandchildren and those we love to be happy, and to be the very best that they can be. They are our future.

I always ask the Holy Spirit to allow his love to shine through me toward all mankind. This reflects on my grandchildren already, and they are very young. God Bless!!!

C.L.P. Anderson

Kenosha, Wisconsin

I have five grandchildren ages 6 months to 10 years. Of course, Mommy is quite busy, so when I stay with them I write down the little things they say and do in a little book. These are records of the delightful sayings and experiences we've had. As they get older they laugh at the things they said when they were younger.

Also, since all of my grandchildren live far away, they write letters. I have their very first letters and put them in a big three-ring binder. Each child has a section where their letters are preserved in a plastic holder. Through the years I can see their handwriting change as they grow. I have a record of what was important to them at the time. Even their mother laughs when she hears some of the sayings and things the children have said.

It's nice to be a grandmother because we are never too busy for little things that they will enjoy hearing about later on!

Amie Lewis

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